Built Review

introduction

Every now and then even the very best among us have a bad day, Babe Ruth long held the record in baseball for home runs but for almost the same length of time he held the record for strikeouts as well. Plusmodel, who usually graces us with some really nice, if not esoteric, stuff has fallen a bit short with their recent release of the US Cameraman and camera.

review

The kit consists of 15 nicely detailed resin parts that build up into the cameraman as well as the motion picture camera and tripod he is employing. Also, Plusmodel has included a small photo-etch sheet to replicate the wind nuts on the tripod legs as well as the carrying strap for the tripod assembly. To round it all out they include a small piece of lead wire to provide the cable from battery to camera. All of the moldings are well done, with just the slightest bit of flash from the resin molding process, it all cleans up quite easily.

The first issue I had was the attachment plug to the camera body, it is grafted directly on to the bottom of the camera, the pictures off to the side show it better than I could explain it. Once you cut it off as close as you can you are left with sanding it down but keeping it square throughout the entire process. A smaller pour plug would have made things much easier.

The larger issue, and clearly the greatest downfall of the figure is his size. He is cast in just 4 pieces, legs and torso as one, two arms, and the head. When I began to remove the main piece I realized that this was one big dude. I put him together and stood him next to a figure I had recently done and was surprised at the huge difference between the two. The photo shows the Mutt and Jeff pair. The Cameraman scales out at a bit over 6'7". I know people come in all shapes and sizes, but for a World War II soldier that goes a little beyond the pale.

Other than those two issues the remainder of the camera and tripod goes together quickly and easily and is fairly well detailed. The figure itself looks nice, the fit around the arms needs a bit of work but the head sculpt is very nicely done.

conclusion

It would be hard to recommend this kit unless you were doing a stand alone piece or some sort of forced perspective diorama.

I have been modeling for about 30 years now. Once upon a time in another century I owned my own hobby shop; way more work than it was worth. I tip my opti-visor to those who make a real living at it. Mainly build armor these days but I keep working at figures, planes and the occasional ship.